1,000 Lorries Stranded : R.H.A. Blame Council
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NAORE than 1,000 commercial vehicles al which were stranded overnight at 13eattock Summit, Scotland, on Dezember 10, could have continued their journeys if snow ploughs had been used in time. This was claimed last week by the Road Haulage Association, who blamed Lanarkshire County Council for the stoppage. Mr. L. J. Stokoe, secretary of the R.H.A. Scottish Area, said many of the drivers had to spend the night in their cabs. There was obviously a lack of co-ordination between the police and the highway authorities in allowing so many vehicles to go on to Beaftock Moors when the road ahead was blocked with snow.
The county council had said that a torry skidded on the icy surface and blocked the road in both directions during a heavy snowfall, preventing snow ploughs from getting on the scene. " The RI-LA. refute this claim, and have indicated that the road should never have been allowed to ice up," said Mr. Stokoe. Protests to the county council about the queue of vehicles brought no response, and it was not until representations were made to the Scottish Home Department and the Licensing Authority that action was taken to clear the road. "We shall pay special attention to this stretch of road during the winter, and action will be taken at the first sign of the county council failing in their duty," added Mr. Stokoe.
TESTING YEAR FOR ILT.C.
MEXT year will be a testing year for the British Transport Commission, according to the chairman, Sir Brian Robertson. In his Christmas message to the staff, Sir Brian says there will be nothing for the Commission to worry about if everyone pulls together. " But there will be plenty to worry about if we don't," he warns. "Christmas is a very good opportunity for us to earn the goodwill Of the public. . • . We need this goodwill. Please do your best to
earn it." •